In cricket, "M" typically stands for Maidens, referring to the number of overs a bowler has bowled in which they did not concede any runs.
Here's a breakdown:
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Maiden Over Definition: An over is considered a maiden when the batting team scores zero runs off the bat during those six consecutive deliveries. Wides, no-balls, byes, and leg byes are not counted against the over. Therefore, even if a team gets runs during an over through extras, it can still be a maiden.
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Significance of Maidens: Bowling maiden overs is a sign of accurate and economical bowling. It puts pressure on the batsmen to score, potentially leading to wickets. Maidens are particularly valuable in Test cricket and other longer formats where building pressure is key.
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Where You'll See It: The "M" column appears on scoreboards and in bowlers' statistics, often alongside columns for Overs (O), Runs (R), and Wickets (W).
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Example: If a bowler has figures of 10-3-25-2, it means they have bowled 10 overs, 3 of which were maidens, conceded 25 runs, and taken 2 wickets.
Therefore, understanding what "M" represents provides insight into a bowler's performance and their ability to control the flow of runs in a cricket match.
